Summary
- Start
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Finish
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Mileage
Total 820km
120km per day - Travel Pace
Relaxing - Onsen Stay
Max. 5 nights - Recommended Seasons
Dec,Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr
This itinerary takes 7 days to circle south Hokkaido.
Due to short daily mileage and by staying consecutive nights in 2 cities, you can travel at a relaxing pace.
In winter, the sun sets by 4-5 pm, so arrive at your inn before dark!
If you want to stay in Sapporo after the road trip, you can return the car not to the airport but to Sapporo. Walking and the subway are more convenient for sightseeing in Sapporo.
New Chitose Airport – Noboribetsu(Sample)
Start: New Chitose Airport(新千歳空港)
Finish: Noboribetsu (登別)
Mileage:
From Sapporo: 130km
From Chitose Arirpot: 130km
Travel Pace: Relax
On this day, you will head from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo to Noboribetsu, one of Japan’s leading hot spring resorts.
1
Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport or Sapporo
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
New Chitose Airport is the gateway to Hokkaido. First of all, please complete the reception procedure at the rental car counter at the airport. It takes about 15 minutes by free shuttle bus to the rental car company branch.
The mileage of this day is about 130km, so you can travel at a relaxing pace. If you can leave by about 13:00, you can go to Noboribetsu while sightseeing at some spots. However, if the drive departs in the afternoon, please consider skipping some spots.
40 min
2
Lake Shikotsu
Parking MAPCODE:
867 063 568What is MAPCODE?
9:40
The first destination of this trip is [Lake Shikotsu]. It’s 30km west of the airport. You can enjoy the beautiful winter scenery of Lake Shikotsu there.
In addition to enjoying a walking at Lake Shikotsu, we recommend delicious cream puffs.
Pattisier Labo
60 min
3
National AINU museum and park UPOPOY
Parking MAPCODE:
545 194 763What is MAPCODE?
12:00
You will arrive at the “National AINU museum and park UPOPOY”.
At UPOPOY, which opened in 2020, you can learn about the unique culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. There are also performances of unique musical instruments and dances, so don’t miss it.
UPOPOY
Event time table
40 min
4
Jigokudani(Hell Valley)
Parking MAPCODE:
603 287 235*71What is MAPCODE?
14:00
The biggest highlight of the day is Noboribetsu Jigokudani, which is also the place to stay. A desolate spectacle where sulfur vapor blows out spreads out. The walking path is 600m and you can walk in about 10 minutes.
It’s a 5-10 minute walk from the Noboribetsu Onsen Inn to the entrance of Jigokudani, so it might be a good idea to check in and take a break before heading there.
5 min
5
Inn in Noboribetsu
Parking MAPCODE:
“Noboribetsu” where you stay on this day is a famous hot spring that represents Hokkaido. Please relax and heal the tiredness of the first day.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in Noribetsu town(登別) which is the most famous Onsen town in Hokkaido. Many inns are located around “Jigokudani(Hell Valley)”.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
Noboribetsu – Hakodate🔒
Start: Noboribetsu(登別)
Finish: Hakodate (函館)
Mileage:200km
Travel Pace: Fast
On this day, you will drive from Noboribetsu to Hakodate along the Funka Bay.
1
Inn in Noboribetsu
Parking MAPCODE:
The mileage is a long distance of about 200km. About 150km of this is an expressway. There are many attractions in Hakodate, so we recommend that you leave from 8:00 to 9:00, especially if you stay in Hakodate only for one night.
9:00
If you didn’t walk in Jigokudani yesterday, why not get up a little early and enjoy a walk in the morning?
It is about a 5-10 minutes walk from most of the inns in Noboribetsu Onsen to the entrance of Jigokudani. The walking path itself is 600m, and you can walk in about 10 minutes.
120 min
2
Yakumo Parking area(To Hakodate)
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:00
[Yakumo Parking area(To Hakodate)] is highly recommended for a break.
It is a very pleasant parking area overlooking the Eruption Bay and the grasslands that spread from the hill.
From here, you can walk to restaurant “Harvester Yakumo”, where you can enjoy delicious fried chicken and pizza at a historic restaurant that was opened as an experimental farm for KFC(Kentucky Fried Chicken).
After lunch, you will head to Hakodate again on the expressway. It takes 2 hours to get to Hakodate, so please take a break on the way.
80 min
3
Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
14:00
If you arrive in Hakodate while it is bright, we recommend the Red Brick Warehouse.
If you have time, we recommend taking a walk in Motomachi, Hakodate, where old Western-style buildings are lined up on the cobblestone slopes.
Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse
10 min
4
Inn in Hakodate
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
The night view seen from Mt. Hakodate is one of the three major night views in Japan and it is wonderful
If you visit Mt. Hakodate, please use the ropeway as the road to the summit is closed during the winter season.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in Hakodate(函館) city which is famous for its magnificent night view and morning market. Many inns are concentrated in the following two areas.
①Around Hakodate Morning Market
Most of the highlights in Hakodate are located near the Hakodate Morning Market and it is very convenient for sightseeing. However, there is no Onsen in this area.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Some inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
Inns around the morning market don’t provide an onsen. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are many restaurants for dinner. It is also a good idea to have breakfast at “Hakodate Morning Market”. Therefore, booking a plan with breakfast or without meals is fine.
②Yunokawa Onsen(湯の川温泉) area
This area is located 5km east of the center of Hakodate and near Hakodate airport.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with onsen. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
Hakodate – Hakodate 🔒
Start:Hakodate (函館)
Finish:Hakodate (函館)
Mileage:40km
Travel Pace:Relaxed
On this day, you will stay overnight in Hakodate following yesterday.
1
Hakodate
Parking MAPCODE:
10:00
This day is centered on sightseeing in the city, and the mileage is short at about 40km, so you can take it easy.
10 min
2
Goryokaku Park&Tower
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:30
The first stop of the day is Goryokaku Park & Tower. This place is the first western-style castle in Japan surrounded by a star-shaped moat. From the observatory of the tower, you can enjoy not only Goryokaku Park, but also a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and Hakodate Bay.
There is the Lucky Pierrot Goryokaku Park Branch next to the parking lot, so it is highly recommended having lunch there. Lucky Pierrot is a crazy burger shop chain in Hakodate.
20 min
3
Hakodate Motomachi Area
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
12:30
Next, you will head south and explore the Hakodate Motomachi Area. Hakodate was one of the first cities to open its ports after a long period of national isolation, and in this area you can see the Western-style buildings of each country that were built about 150 years ago. The main recommended spots are as follows.
●Former British Consulate
●Hakodate magistrate’s office ruins
●Former Souma House
●Former Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
●Funatama Shrine
●Hakodate Orthodox Church
●Hachiman-Zaka Slope
If you get tired of walking, there are many stylish cafes, so please take a rest.
5 min
4
Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
14:30
After exploring the Motomachi Area, please head to the Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse. This is one of the most famous tourist spots in Hakodate city. There are many shops and cafes in old warehouses.
20 min
5
Trappistine Convent
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
16:00
Next, you will head to the Trappistine Convent, which is the first convent in Japan. The lovable structure of the convent is offset by the lovely scenery and the proximity to the ocean and the cliffs in the distance. The cookies here are delicious and famous.
25 min
6
Cape Tachimachi
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
17:30
If you have time and want to see the Sea of Hakodate, we recommend going to Cape Tachimachi, which is a scenic cliffside area. If the weather is nice and the air is clear, you can see Honshu (the main island of Japan) across the sea.
10 min
7
Inn at Hakodate
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
18:20
On this day, you will stay in Hakodate for consecutive nights following the previous day. Please relax and enjoy the night in Hakodate.
In the morning in Hakodate, it is recommended to go to the famous Hakodate Morning Market and have breakfast.
Also, for those who want to drive around the suburbs of Hakodate instead of sightseeing in the city on this day, we recommend the Onuma National Park. The winter scenery is beautiful and you can enjoy various winter activities there.
The driving map will show an additional 10-20 spots for the day. You will travel only to your favorite spots. Click the pin on the map and input the parking MAPCODE into your car navigation system (GPS). It will guide you to the nearest parking lot for each spot!
On this day, you will stay in Hakodate(函館) city which is famous for its magnificent night view and morning market. Many inns are concentrated in the following two areas.
①Around Hakodate Morning Market
Most of the highlights in Hakodate are located near the Hakodate Morning Market and it is very convenient for sightseeing. However, there is no Onsen in this area.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Some inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
Inns around the morning market don’t provide an onsen. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are many restaurants for dinner. It is also a good idea to have breakfast at “Hakodate Morning Market”. Therefore, booking a plan with breakfast or without meals is fine.
②Yunokawa Onsen(湯の川温泉) area
This area is located 5km east of the center of Hakodate and near Hakodate airport.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with onsen. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
Hakodate – Niseko/Lake Toya🔒
Start: Hakodate(函館)
Finish: Niseko or Lake Toya (ニセコ/洞爺湖)
Mileage:
To Lake Toya: 175km
To Niseko: 220km
Travel Pace: Fast
On this day, you will head from Hakodate to Lake Toya or Niseko.
1
Inn in Hakodate
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage is long, about 175-220km including 125km of expressway driving.
5 min
2
Hakodate Morning Market
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
9:05
You will get up early on this day and visit [Hakodate Morning Market]. Breakfast will consist of fresh seafood such as famous squid, sea urchins, and crab is the best.
It is also okay to visit on foot from your inn if possible.
5 min
3
Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
10:10
[Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse] is also nearby, so if you haven’t been there yet, please stop by.
45 min
4
Onuma National Park
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:50
After that, you will head to [Onuma National Park]. The winter scenery is beautiful and you can enjoy various winter activities there. There are also several recommended restaurants around Onuma Park, so please enjoy lunch around there.
120 min
5
Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:30
After Onuma Park, it is a 2-hour drive on the expressway. The final destination of the day is “Mt. Usu Ropeway”. From the ropeway, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Showa Shinzan, which was created in 1944, Lake Toya, and the Pacific Ocean.
There is also Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch in the same place, so if you have children, please visit it as well.
10 min
6
Inn in Lake Toya/Niseko
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
17:00
There are 3 recommended area for this day.
If you would like to stay snow resort for ski and snow activities, either Niseko or Rusutsu is recommended. If you don’t plan to do skiing, Lake Toya is recommended. Please refer below “Where to stay” part.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay at Lake Toya(洞爺湖). Many Onsen Ryokans are concentrated from the south to the west side of the lake.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for Onsens and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air Onsen with a lake view. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
Niseko/Lake Toya – Niseko/Lake Toya 🔒
Start:Niseko or Lake Toya (ニセコ/洞爺湖)
Finish:Niseko or Lake Toya (ニセコ/洞爺湖)
Mileage:
From Lake Toya: 100km
From Niseko or Rusutsu Ski Resort: 0km
Travel Pace: Relaxed
On this day, you will stay in Niseko or Lake Toya for the second consecutive night.
1
Inn in Lake Toya/Niseko
Parking MAPCODE:
10:00
If you are staying at Lake Toya on this day, the mileage is 100km. If you are staying at Niseko or Rusutsu Ski Resort, you don’t need to drive.
60min
2
Niseko or Rusutsu Ski Resort
Parking MAPCODE:
11:00
Please enjoy winter sports in [Niseko or Rusutsu Ski Resort] on this day. In Niseko or Rusutsu, you can enjoy a wide range of activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow rafting, horseback riding, and smelt fishing.
(Reference site)
Niseko
Rusutsu
60min
3
Inn in Lake Toya
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
16:00
Spend your second night at Lake Toya relaxing while enjoying the hot springs.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay at Lake Toya(洞爺湖). Many Onsen Ryokans are concentrated from the south to the west side of the lake.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for onsens and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air onsen with a lake view. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
Niseko/Lake Toya – Otaru 🔒
Start: Niseko or Lake Toya (ニセコ/洞爺湖)
Finish: Otaru (小樽)
Mileage:130km
Travel Pace: Normal
On this day, you will head from Niseko or Lake Toya to Canal town Otaru.
1
Inn in Lake Toya
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage of this day is normal about 130km. But we recommend to leave the hotel at 9:00.
10 min
2
Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
9:10
If you haven’t visited, please visit [Mt. Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm]. After that, you will head north toward Niseko while looking at the magnificent view of Mt. Yotei.
There are observatories overlooking Lake Toya and a delicious ice cream shop along the way, so stop by and proceed.
90 min
3
Fukidashi Spring Water Park
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
12:30
Next you will head to [Fukidashi Spring Water Park] with the famous water that springs from Mount Yotei. A tremendous amount of water is springing out, and you can put water in your bottle and take it the hotel if you like.
90 min
4
Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:00
The final destination of the day is “Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery”. You can tour the historic distillery of Japan’s leading whiskey brand.
40 min
5
Inn in Otaru
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
16:40
Otaru is your accommodation on this day, but most shops on Sakaimachihondori, which is the main street, close around 17:00, so you will take a walk here the next day. Instead, enjoy a stroll and Otaru sushi dinner with a spectacular night view of the canal.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in Otaru city(小樽) which is famous for its canal and Sushi. Many inns are concentrated between Otaru Station and the canal. It is more convenient for sightseeing to stay as close to “Sakaimachi hondori street” as possible.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are many restaurants in and around the hotel for dinner, so please make reservations according to your preference.
Otaru – Sapporo or Chitose🔒
Start: Otaru (小樽)
Finish: Sapporo or Chitose Airport (札幌or千歳)
Mileage:
To Sapporo: 70km
To Chitose Arirpot: 110km
Travel Pace:Relaxing
On this day, you will back from Otaru to New Chitose Airport or Sapporo.
1
Inn in Otaru
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage is about 70km to Sapporo and you can travel at a relaxing pace.
If you plan to fly from New Chitose Airport on this day, please see the end of the article.
5 min
2
Otaru City
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
9:05
First of all, please take a walk on Sakaimachihondori(境町本通り), which is the main street of [Otaru]. There are many attractions such as various sweets shops and the main building of Otaru Music Box Museum.
It is also recommended to eat famous Sushi for lunch.
10 min
3
Otaru Kihinkan Aoyama Bettei
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:15
We also recommend [Otaru Kihinkan Aoyama Bettei], which is about 5km north of the town of Otaru. You can see how prosperous the town of Otaru was with herring fishing.
35 min
4
Ishiya Chocolate factory(Shiroi Koibito Park)
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
13:20
After that, take the expressway(E5A) to Sapporo. Just before Sapporo, there is [Ishiya Chocolate Factory (Shiroi Koibito Park)], which is the most popular chocolate museum and factory in Hokkaido. [Sapporo market outside market] is where you can buy various seafood, fruits, and souvenirs, so nice to stop by. You also can eat seafood there too.
35 min
5
Sapporo Beer Museum
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:00
If you have time, please stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum. This is the only beer museum in Japan, where you can experience the history of Hokkaido’s development and the thoughts of their predecessors who poured their passion into brewing Japanese beer.
35 min
6
Rental car branch at Sapporo or New Chitose Airport
Parking MAPCODE:
Please refer driving mapWhat is MAPCODE?
16:20
This concludes your Hokkaido road trip.
①Returning a car in Sapporo
When you return to Sapporo, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest rental car stores and gas stations near Sapporo Station.
Sapporo offers a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try Sapporo Miso ramen, Soup curry, Crab and Sushi.
②Returning a car at New Chitose Airport
When heading to New Chitose Airport, the distance from Sapporo is about 60 km, about 1 hour. Make sure you arrive at the car rental company branch 3 hours before your flight. You need to take the shuttle bus from the company branch to the airport. In addition, shopping area in New Chitose Airport is the best in Japan. There are restaurants where you can enjoy all kinds of Hokkaido gourmet food and countless souvenir shops, so the waiting time for your flight feels short.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in either Sapporo city, the capital of Hokkaido or Chitose town near the “New Chitose Airport”. Please choose the following options depending on your travel schedule.
①Staying in Sapporo
Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido and there are hundreds of accommodations from Sapporo Station to the Susukino area, the entertainment district. It is convenient to stay either on the south side of Sapporo Station or around “Odori Park”.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
Because there are more than 9,000 restaurants in Sapporo, it is recommended to make reservations with a breakfast-only plan.
②Returning to New Chitose Airport
If your flight is a morning flight, staying near Chitose Airport is a good idea. There is some hotel in and around the airport.
Once you return the car, rental car company bring you to the airport by free shuttle bus.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
It is better to return your car first and take public transportation or a shuttle bus to these hotels. - Onsen
There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
Since there are many restaurants in the airport and around Chitose Station where you can have dinner, it is recommended to book breakfast only or stay overnight.
Your Perfect Travel Companion!
Our Travel Kit makes your road trip safer and more memorable!
What is DJ Travel Kit?
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our expertly designed travel kit, perfect for uncovering Japan’s hidden treasures! Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or driving in Japan for the first time, this kit guarantees a seamless mix of excitement, culture, and relaxation.
What’s Inside:
Why Choose Our Travel Kit?
Unforgettable Memories: Each day promises unique experiences, from iconic landmarks to hidden treasures off the beaten path, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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Kit 1: Day-by-day Driving Map
Plan your perfect road trip day-by-day with our Google Maps-based driving maps. Each day’s itinerary, such as “Day.1 Tokyo to Hakone,” is packed with curated routes featuring 15-20 sightseeing spots and restaurants along the way, each pinpointed with a MAPCODE(Kit 2).
Sample Day-by-day Driving Map(Tokyo – Hakone)
- Scenic Routes:
We designed for scenic drives, not just the shortest path, ensuring a memorable journey. - Flexibility:
Spend your time only on your preferred tourist spots and dining venues. - Safety First:
Routes are optimized for appropriate driving distances, avoiding risky roads for a secure road trip. - Find Hidden Gems:
Discover spots Google misses or public transport can’t reach.- Example: Ukiha Inari Shrine
This photogenic shrine is located along the route from Fukuoka to Yufuin, and within 20 minutes you can have the wonderful scenery all to yourself. Few Japanese, let alone foreigners, know about it, and its inconvenient location makes it difficult to visit except by car.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9ENmDp69E6V7V3B49
Drive Japan day-by-day driving map will introduce you the these hidden gems everyday and make your road trip more wonderful experience!
- Example: Ukiha Inari Shrine
Kit 2: Parking MAPCODE
Tired of hunting for parking? Enter MAPCODE instead of addresses in your car’s navigation system! It lead you straight to the most convenient parking at each tourist hotspot, ensuring you spend less time circling and more time adventuring.
- Accurate Navigation:
With MAPCODE, you’re guided straight to the parking spots, not to the middle of a lake or inside a garden! For road trippers visiting 5-6 destinations each day, accurate parking guidance is crucial to make the most of your journey. - Time is Money:
Why waste precious travel time searching for parking or researching routes? International travel is an investment, costing an average of USD 16 per person per hour. For a group of three on a 7-day trip, that’s over 10 hours lost to parking hunts alone. Let MAPCODE streamline your travels, so you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying your adventure!
Kit 3: Restaurant List
Explore curated restaurant lists for each town you stay in, featuring recommended dining options.
Sample Restaurant List(Asahikawa)
- Local Cuisine:
Taste regional specialties and must-try dishes at our handpicked spots. We do not accept advertising fees from restaurants. Our selected restaurants are chosen solely based on their appeal and our firsthand experience. - Convenience:
Easily access Google Maps links for each restaurant, allowing quick checks on photos and operating hours. - Practical Advice:
Provides things you should know about dinner in the town you’re staying in, such as “towns with few restaurants” and “towns with very fast last orders by ordinance.”
Car Booking
Rental Car Booking
Please rent a car with below “Rentalcars.com” link.
- The abundant number of rental cars
- Price comparisons with several major car rental companies
- Free cancellation
Pick-up & Drop-off Location Guide
- New Chitose Airport
The main international airport in Hokkaido. Recommended for Pick-up.
If you arrive after 14:00, consider staying overnight around the airport or in Sapporo and departing the next morning.
It takes 1 hour to Sapporo station by train. - Sapporo City
The capital and biggest city in Hokkaido. Most car rental shops are located around Sapporo Station.
Important reminder for renting a car
- GPS(Car Navigation System)
MAPCODE from Drive Japan navigates you precisely to the parking lot. GPS from major car rental companies(Nippon, ORIX, Nissan, Times) are always MAPCODE compatible. However, if you are renting a car from another company, we recommend that you check with the rental company after making a reservation, just to be sure. - One-way Rental
You can rent at New Chitose Airport and return at Sapporo Station, and vice versa. Normally, the one-way charge is about JPY2000 only. - Child Seat
In Japan, the use of a child safety seat or baby seat is mandatory for children under 5 years old.
Be sure to request one from “Extras”. - Snow Tire
If you travel from the beginning of November to the end of April, you must book a car with snow tires. It should be installed without requests from rental car companies in Hokkaido, but if you are concerned, you can double-check with them after making a reservation.